IMO POLICE COMMAND REFUTES ALLEGATIONS AGAINST “TIGER BASE”
Calls for Objective Reporting, Proper Investigation Before Public Negative Criticism
By Our Reporter
The Imo State Police Command has expressed strong concern over a viral social media publication alleging that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as “Tiger Base,” is involved in torture, organ trafficking, and extrajudicial killings. The Command firmly describes these allegations as false, baseless, and deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
In a Press release from the Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Police, DSP Henry Okoye said that the Command, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) is a duly established tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force, mandated to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other violent crimes. It is not an illegal detention facility, and all suspects handled by the unit are treated in accordance with the law.
The Command noted that Tiger Base has successfully dismantled several notorious kidnapping and armed robbery networks, contributing significantly to the improved peace and security currently enjoyed across the state.
It further emphasized that there is no credible evidence to support the claims of torture, organ harvesting, or extrajudicial killings, describing the allegations as part of a coordinated smear campaign by criminal elements adversely affected by ongoing security operations.
The Command also condemned attempts to introduce ethnic sentiment into routine policing by targeting the Officer-in-Charge, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force is a national institution whose officers serve across all regions without bias.
Tiger Base, it added, operates in partnership with other security agencies and community policing structures, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.
It’s on record also that the Tiger Base unit and other tactical units including DSS, Army and the Civil Defense are working tirelessly to ensure that peace reign in the State since the insurgency of insecurity orchestrated by hoodlums under the guise of IPOB and ESN terrorists.
To further enhance oversight, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has directed the immediate establishment of a Human Rights Desk within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The desk will ensure transparency and safeguard the rights of all individuals handled by the unit.
The Commissioner urged residents of Imo State to disregard the false claims and channel legitimate complaints to the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad, or the newly created Human Rights Desk at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
He warned individuals circulating false information aimed at inciting fear or undermining security efforts to desist, reminding the public that such actions constitute offences under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
